When preparing to sell your home, the goal is to sell it quickly at the highest price possible within the current market, while investing as little as possible in renovations.
Tip #1: Refresh the Exterior
Many buyers will not venture out of their car if they do not find the exterior appealing. Painting trim, pressure washing vinyl siding and windows, replacing damaged eaves troughs will simply improve the exterior look. Also repair exterior & paint outbuildings to tie them to the home and reflect care.
Tip #2: Tidy Lawn and Landscape
Home buyers associate the condition of your lawn and landscape with the interior of your home. Keep the lawn mowed and edges tidy. Weed around trees and flower beds and sweep walkways. Repair and stain or paint fences. There is more focus these days on the outside spaces so ensure the decks, patio areas are tidy and spruce them up with some new outside colorful furnishings.
Tip #3: Create an Inviting Entrance
A fresh coat of paint on the door, a new welcome mat and a colourful planter will make the entrance much more inviting.
Tip #4: Reduce Clutter and Furniture
A buyer cannot envision living in your home if they cannot see the house. Remove clutter, clean countertops, put away magazines, books and laundry, remove family/personal pictures on walls, and reduce excess furnishings in rooms that are over furnished and blocking window spaces. Buyers should be able to easily walk up to windows and look out!
Tip #5: Clean, Clean, Clean
The cleanliness of your home also influences a buyer’s perception of its condition. In particular, bathrooms and kitchens must be spotless.
Tip #6: Make Minor Repairs
The small stuff does count! Without dismissing the importance of major repairs, focus on the small stuff: repairing faucets, drawers, handles, painting trim, ceilings and walls, old light fixtures.
Tip #7: Showcase the Kitchen
The heart of the home is the kitchen. If you are going to spend any money on renovations, this area will be one of your greatest returns. Simple tips without a major investment: improve the lighting, modernize light fixtures and change hardware. Replacing counter tops and possibly a new sink will add a refreshing look to your kitchen. Repair and repaint cupboard doors. There are companies that will remove doors and shop paint them and re install.
Tip #8: Stage Furniture
Furniture placement is key to enhancing space. Create cozy corners and turn an empty space into a reading area or a computer work-station.
Tip #9: Light up the House
A bright house could the be the “right” house! Open all window coverings. Increase light bulb wattage for brightness, add lamps in areas that are dark. From experience this is a very important tip to implement.
Tip #10: Freshen up the Garage or Workshop
Make sure there is room for a vehicle! Use shelving or wall units to store items. Create a sense of space. Replace garage door if sagging or quite old. Ensure openers are working properly.
Tip #11: Add Natural Touches
By displaying flowers, candles and fresh fruit you add colour and style.
Tip #12: De-personalize
Remove family photos and other personal items that potential buyers can’t identify with. It keeps them focused on the house and not the contents.
Tip #13: Pets
Pets need to be kept under control or confined to a specific area. Pet odours need to be eliminated and soiled areas cleaned. Not all buyers are animal lovers.
Tip #14: Backyard
If you’re selling in the city or a town, buyers doing a drive by will try and look into your backyard. Include it in your curb appeal efforts.
Tip #15: Evening Curb Appeal
Buyers will quite often take a drive in the evening. Lighting is once again the key here. Porch lighting and exterior feature lighting enhance the property’s appearance.
There are plenty of ways to update and renovate your property without breaking the bank. The trick is to select a few key areas and be creative. The Chaulk Team will provide you with a personal consultation on how to best present and stage your property. Give us a call to set up an appointment for us to meet with you to discuss your unique situation.
© April 2016 by Wayne Chaulk